With eye on polls, AAP raises pitch on city issues

Party volunteers would meet several government officials on January 15 and ask them to display the citizen’s charter outside their departments

The city wing of Aam Aadmi Party has become more vocal in highlighting local concerns in recent days. The party has now decided to fight for the display of citizen’s charter outside each department of government offices in the city.

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Initially, the party has zeroed in on the collector’s office, the police commissionerate, RTO, and office of divisional commissioner. AAP volunteers would meet the heads of each department on January 15 and ask them to display the citizen’s charter outside their department. Party bearers said that if the suggestions were ignored, then AAP might launch a protest after celebrating Republic Day.

“We don’t want to pressurise high-ranking officers. It is just that we want to initiate a dialogue with our suggestion to display the citizen’s charter, so that people are aware of their rights,” said Rajesh Mittal, a member of district executive committee of AAP.

Although office bearers are claiming that they wish to initiate dialogue, AAP member Abha Mulay said that the party had already sent intimation letters to the authorities of the government offices, including Pune and Pimpari-Chinchwad municipal corporations, for displaying the citizen’s charter.

“It is mandatory to exhibit the citizen’s charter. Few government offices are following the rule. However, we found that these four offices, which witness maximum footfall, have not displayed the document,” said Mulay. She added that along with asking for the display of citizen’s charter, party volunteers would also check the manner in which the government employees treat people.

“We would give them time of around 15 days. After that, if the situation doesn’t improve, we are likely to protest against the lethargic attitude of government officials,” Mulay added.

Did you know?

Citizen’s charter is a document, which elaborates that citizens have the right to get time-bound delivery of specified goods and services, and government should provide a mechanism for grievance redressal. The Citizen’s Charter and Grievance Redressal Bill 2011 is, however, pending in Lok Sabha